Kay's Cottage, Armstrong County Child Advocacy Center, PA

06/22/2026

WOW! We have already received so many amazing items off of our wish list! Thank you all SO MUCH for supporting us and the kids we see! This is truly so, so, so helpful and we appreciate all of you for thinking of us💙💚

06/18/2026

Would you like to have a new way to be able to support the work that we do here at Kay's Cottage? Our admin assistant created this Amazon Wish List so that you can donate items of need directly to Kay's Cottage! We are in need of items of comfort for our child and families such as coffee pods, hot chocolate, snacks and other items! We are also in need of basic office supplies. Being that it is likely stressful for kids to come to talk about their experiences, our advocate has started to hand out "comfort kits." Included in these kits are journals, stress balls, bubbles and other stress-relieving items. Once you purchase an item, it gets shipped directly to Kay's Cottage! It's an easy way to support the work that we do here for kids who have suffered abuse! THANK YOU for supporting us, and more importantly, THANK YOU for supporting the kids and families that we serve!

06/16/2026

June is Men's Mental Health Month💚 Please make sure you are checking on those around you! We often forget that people can struggle in silence, so make sure those that you love know that you are there for them.

We have resources and information available for anyone who is in need of help. You are not alone!

06/05/2026

THANK YOU PA State Rep. Josh Bashline for taking the time to meet with our Program Manager Deana Kirkland this past week at the Capital Complex about HB 2443, the Child Victim Recovery Fund! Your time was greatly appreciated! On behalf of Kay's Cottage, we thank you for becoming a co-sponsor of this important piece of legislation! We appreciate your support on this and appreciate your long-time support of the work that we do!

06/05/2026

This past week our Program Manager Deana Kirkland met with PA State Rep. Abby Major at the Capital Complex in Harrisburg to discuss HB 2443, the Child Victim Recovery Fund. The passing of this bill will provide child advocacy centers across the Commonwealth with much needed funding. Where does this additional funding stream come from? The offender, upon conviction! THANK YOU, Rep. Major for taking the time to meet with me!

05/22/2026

This was a fantastic training! It was so helpful to hear from a family members perspective what we should all be looking out for and how to help. Thank you to Mia and HAVIN, Inc for organizing this!!

KITTANNING — On Sept. 11, 2021, Gabrielle Petito was reported missing in Wyoming, after last being seen on Aug. 27, 2021.

05/21/2026

On May 18, 2026, HAVIN, Inc. presented its first-ever “Domestic Violence Healthcare Champion Award”. This award is presented to a medical professional who exemplifies a commitment to a safer Armstrong County-one free of domestic violence and sexual assault. This award is given to a Champion who stands up for survivor’s rights, nourishes a collaboration with HAVIN, Inc. and encourages others to raise awareness.

The first-ever recipient of this award is Shanon Dunlap, ER Nurse Manager at ACMH.

Shanon is a true champion for change. During her time as the ER Nurse Manager, she has cultivated a relationship with HAVIN, so that communication is fluid and ever-present. In 2024-2025, Shanon partnered with HAVIN to provide weekly domestic violence information to all ER staff, and during her tenure has worked with HAVIN staff to attend morning huddles and display HAVIN information throughout the emergency room. Shanon was quickly on board to adopt the Beloved Bundles project within the ER, giving patients hope after an abusive situation. Currently, Shanon is working with HAVIN and ACMH’s IT Department to introduce a domestic violence screening tool for all patients seen in triage. Finally, Shanon is hands-on and compassionate. When she identifies an ACMH patient or member of the community in need of HAVIN services, she personally sits with that person and calls HAVIN’s Medical Advocate to provide services. The team at HAVIN recognizes that its work at ACMH is better because Shanon is a part of the team and are so grateful to her for her commitment to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The award will be given annually during Nurse’s Week. The award given in 2026 is the first award in this series.

The HAVIN Staff and Board of Directors congratulates Shanon on this important recognition!

05/21/2026

Parents and caregivers are often the first to notice when something feels different. Changes in mood, sleep, appetite or behavior may signal a young person needs support.

Learn more: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/helping-someone/helping-your-child

05/12/2026

This week and every week, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to all of the incredible law enforcement members we work with. It can be a thankless job at times, but you all show up every day- long hours, weekends, holidays- and dedicate yourselves to creating a better, safer community. We could not be more thankful for what you do and to have you on our side💙🖤

In honor of , please join us in thanking all our law enforcement brothers and sisters who have dedicated their lives to keeping our communities safe by serving, protecting, and upholding the law.

05/12/2026

We are one of many Armstrong County nonprofits supported during the Week of Giving. Visit the Armstrong County Community Foundation (ACCF) website to explore other local organizations making a difference—and consider making a donation this week.

https://cfwp.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/grant?grant_cycle_id=1035